http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/kgiessler Thu, 22 Nov 2007 05:39:25 GMT Reviews by kgiessler http://www.viewpoints.com/Utz-Quality-Foods-Potato-Chips-review-d5131 Potato chips are an odd thing to be excited about, but its hard to help it when they are THIS good.  Utz finally did it, made a potato chip that was just the perfect average.  I've always been a fan of Cape Cod potato chips, but their hard composition leaves razor edge pieces as soon as they are bit and its very awkward. — Utz has great potato taste in a normal chip.  No frills, just a crunchy, average sized chip.  They are thick enough and strong enough to hold dip and complement most well.  — I'm really a fan of the no salt version, which allows the potato taste to stand out even more.  Its hands down the best no salt potato chip out there.  Try a bag and get hooked yourself. —... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 05:39:25 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Utz-Quality-Foods-Potato-Chips-review-d5131 kgiessler 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Cookout-Durham-NC-review-d1112 I recently spent some time in North Carolina.  People kept on talking about the Cookout, a fast food chain only located down their and popular among the locals.  After hearing them talk about it, one is left thinking, how good can a fast food place?  Every bit as good as they say and then some. —  The Cookout features a limited menu with no frills or gimmicks like other fast food places you may be used to.  But what they do they do right.  Actual hamburgers come fresh of a grill.  With a person cooking them.  Imagine what you would do at home to make a burger, this is what they do.  Infact, its so much like getting a burger at home that you have to tell them what you want on it.  Its worth the extra 15 seconds in ordering to get the burger you want. —  When you go there, make sure to get the Cookout trays (like a value meal).  But pay the extra $1.00 for the shake, as there is no where that offers shakes... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 05:13:40 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Cookout-Durham-NC-review-d1112 kgiessler 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Emu-Creative-Professional-0404-USB-review-a0de1 Wow.  As an audiophile who buys and sells on the used market frequently, I go through lots of products.  But the EMU 0404 USB is one I will hold on to for a sometime.  At $200 retail, there is nothing even close to its price range that competes in terms of sound quality.  Even products costing 2, 3 or even 4 times more don't sound better.  By the time you hit 5x, your in Benchmark DAC1 level, and then its time to look elsewhere. —  The 0404 has 2 main outs (xlr balanced or unbalanced) that have their own volume control on the device.  There are SPDIF outputs as well.  And a headphone output with a separate volume control.  In addition, there are 2 mic inputs that feature phantom power.  I can't comment on them as I use this device solely for output.  If your intentions are to use the device for input, you are limited to those 2 mic inputs as well as the SPDIF input, and probably is not the best choice for multitrack... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 05:03:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Emu-Creative-Professional-0404-USB-review-a0de1 kgiessler 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Fostex-NF-1A-Speakers-review-119b When Fostex created the NF-1A's, they attempted to rethink the loudspeaker from scratch and intelligently come up with solutions to some of the flaws inherent in audio reproduction.  Fortunately, the succeeded.  Unfortunately, their solutions were so unique (read bizarre) that the NF-1A's had a difficult time succeeding in a market flooded with other 2 way biamped active studio monitors. —  Featuring a woofer cone produced from the fibers in banana pulp (higher strength to weight ratio than paper), pressed into a unique 'hyperboic parabaloid' geometry, the NF-1A's start off strange from the beginning.  However, the cone is light, strong, and nearly eliminates resonance with its design.  Add in the up-down roll tangential edge surround, and the woofer features technology that no others can match.  The dome tweeter is made from a laminated mesh and reproduces so truely is scary.  Revealing is an understatement, and it makes them excellent... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 04:49:53 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Fostex-NF-1A-Speakers-review-119b kgiessler 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Toyota-Cressida-1992-review-7e1d0 The MX83 chassis of the Toyota Cressida (1989-1992) featuring the 7MGE engine was a car ahead of its time in performance and luxury.  Now almost 2 decades later, it remains a viable choice for those looking for a value purchase that isn't limited in performance or luxury. —  The Cressida was designed to be a sports sedan, using the same engine and drivetrain components as the Supra, but matching it with an extremely comfortable and luxurious body.  Firm power leather seats, automatic climate control, integrated security system, all power options, sunroof, and an amazing premium sound system can all be found in a quiet cabin with excellent visibility. —  The Cressida is a pleasure to drive once you get used to the soft feel of the steering wheel and pedals.  The engine is powerful enough to provide acceleration that is still above average, even when passing on the highway at high speeds.  Turning is sharp and controlled.  Braking... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 04:37:50 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Toyota-Cressida-1992-review-7e1d0 kgiessler 5